Forum Discussion
Where im at...
Its 8 weeks today since diagnosis of triple neg DCIS4, intrusive, evasive, aggressive. Ive undergone a lumpectomy, a R breast removal, auxillery clearance ( 1/17 with cancer), several lung, bone, liver, chest CT's and scans, a Barium X-ray soon due to swollowing difficulties, I had a 'Port' put in last wednesday and now im finding that sore and achey as the pain killers have worn off and the swelling has gone down, but in hindsite its better than being poked for a vein and ending up with a large flumbitis in my arm! My 1st chemo was awful, in hospital for 4 days due to profuse vomiting! and then the Filgrastim injection to protect your bones and marrow made me feel like i was run over by a steamroller, twice! For about a week! My 2nd chemo on wednesday, and im staying in hospital incase i react bad again. I have to stay in SALE hospital where my chemo is, as i cant get into Bairnsdale, I have to be away from my husband and son for maybe up to 4 days. Theres no point my man travelling to see me until im ready to go home. I feel so alone right now, I dont know anyone up there! Im getting a friend to take me so my man can utilise the day off work to pick me up. Im downing panamax ( panadol) like its going out of fashion this week, I had a whole 7 days of feeling fantastic! So i figure its like this, ... chemo-7days of feeling crap-7 days of feeling awsome, - 7 daysof feeling crap again! That ads up to my 21 day cycle of chemo, for 6 months, then radio for 6 weeks, where i will live at Centenary House in Traralgon monday to friday, and drive back up to home at Lakes Entrance for the weekends, hoping i feel up to driving, otherwise, its train or bus. The shopping centres are about 5 k away from the hospital and i have to supply my own food etc. Apparently theres a service bus. GOD THIS IS SO DAMN HARD!!! I find myself wondering, How In Hell did i get to this point in my life? What prompted BC in me when i have NO history, and im under 50??? I had bladder / urethra cancer at 32, and it was allremoved and treated with pills and surgery, i have a SPC ( catheter) in my tummy to my bladder to pee from, THAT doesnt worry me, except for the cath changes every 6 weeks, stings a tad, but manageable, and over with quick, then i go shopping, but THIS>???? And, im ONLY at 8 weeks!!!
24 Replies
Thanks for letting me know just had my last AC and start taxol in 3 weeks feeling very tired and sick of everything but i least am nearly half way though. I finish on the 31st july and am trying to keep that strong in my mind.
Jo-Anne
- Hi gayle I couldn't agree more about the fatigue... Sorry but I've found it gets worse as chemo progresses. I had an appt with my oncologist today and I said how frustrated I was at not being able to do things I wanted due to fatigue and getting out of breath. I was diagnosed with bilateral lung clots after 2nd chemo and she said I still need to take it easy. Just fluffing around in my small vege patch had me exhausted over the weekend. I have 16 steps from my front door upstairs and some days I have to sit down half way up to catch my breath. Take care of yourself and rest when you need to. Mel xxx
Im not on taxol, nor do i know anything about it, but i DO know about the fatigue! My god! It worries me that for 6 days after chemo all i do is nap, nap,and nod off. My husband was talking to me the other day and i fell asleep, i felt really bad! The whole FEC 5FU chemo treatment is harsh on my body.
If you asked me whats the hardest thing Ive ever had to do in my life, THIS IS IT! CHEMO!
Im not on taxol, nor do i know anything about it, but i DO know about the fatigue! My god! It worries me that for 6 days after chemo all i do is nap, nap,and nod off. My husband was talking to me the other day and i fell asleep, i felt really bad! The whole FEC 5FU chemo treatment is harsh on my body.
If you asked me whats the hardest thing Ive ever had to do in my life, THIS IS IT! CHEMO!
- Hi Jo I started my taxol 3 weeks after my last AC. I had my usual bloods done the day before and got a call from the hospital to say my neutraphils were .6 3 weeks after my last AC and my oncologist wouldn't give me taxol unless I was at least 1. I had bloods done again and was 1.2 so had taxol that afternoon. Touch wood taxol has been alot kinder on my body and mind so far. I've had 2 and felt a bit blaah but day 3 and 4 I've had bone pain in my legs and hips. I've taken panadol and got on with it. I have been very tired and very thirsty with it though, always feeling dehydrated. Mel :)
Hi Mel
How long did you have to wait between your 4th round of 3 weekly chemo and the start of your 1st weekly taxol? I do my 4th round on 24th April and then do 12 weekly taxols.
Jo-Anne
Thanks for the advice on the Ct scans! I have Emelgel cream, must be the same stuff the chemo crew gave me. The other day they stuffed around with needles and finally hit 'oil', but not after i swore a few times ;) Round 3 will hopefully be a bit like i am now ( fingers crossed) Im good today, went for a 5 min walk to the end of my street, usually by sunday im picking up again, by wednesday im fab! Im pee'd off at my taste buds tho, nothing i eat seems to satisfy, that will mend by tuesday, all tastes like cardboard, urgh! Im about to write a poem, inspired by Dr Suess... lol Watch this space ;) Take care Sam xx
Hiya Gayle...glad ur finding the port useful..I have one and use a numbing cream on the port site, then I dont feel a thing. Ask at ur chemo unit for some..i know u can get 'pre-creamed 'adhesive patches, but it also comes in a smal tube that u can squirt some on and place a tegaderm patch over to let it soak in. I do mine about an hour b4 i arrive at the unit...i even use it when i go for a ct scan coz those canulas are huge and r very ouchy!!!
good luck with round 3...hope its not too severe
Sam :)
Thanks hun, universal hugs help. Round 3 in 3wks, spose to be the worst, we'll see. They dosed me double with anti's and the port made a huge difference, altho i will admit, i had a sooky la-la to start with again, had to have the valium. My support driver was awsome in calming me down and getting me back in the door, true, i walked out crying and was going to walk all the way back home to lakes! hahahaha!! trial and error!
Got back in, then they put the needle in the port, i said a few choice words, my friend said i had terrets! lol, then i settled back and took it. Stayed the night ( foods crap in Sale hospital!) Ross picked me up thursday arvo, and i travelled home safe and well all the way. Its 3am as i write this sat morning, as i slept from 8pm til 2.30am, chemo brains awake, im in the reclyner, all snugged up here. Ill nap soon again. Dexamethazone ad rasperry cordial, may as well drink a "v", ! lol Hope your travelling well Honey!!! xxxxx
Chemo went well this time! usual aches n pains, slight nausea, tired, but feel that im coping.
